Lighting arrangement for vehicles



L. L. STEWART LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLES Jan. 13, 1942.

Fiied May 19, 193'7 2 Sheets-Sheet l eww/il. Sien/ant.

Jan. 13, 1942. 1.. l.. STEWART LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLES Filed May 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VI//v/l/M. r- L i l l l I I Patented Jan. 13, 1942 2,269,795v y LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT ron VEHICLES Lemuel L. Stewart, Chicago, Ill.,

assignor to The Adlake Company, a corporation of Illinois Application May 19, 1937, Serial No. 143,501

(Cl. E40-7.35:)

l0 Claims.

This invention relates to illumination, and more particularly, to a combination of ventilation and indirect lighting for railway carriages, busses and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of new and improved fixtures for ventilating and illuminating closed Vehicles together with novel means for supporting and connecting the separate parts of said fixtures.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved reiiecting mechanism for indirect reflection of artificial light.

Another object of the invention is the provision of lighting and Ventilating fixtures that are simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easily installed, ecient in use and that are composed of a minimum of parts.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a railway carriage showing the invention therein, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of fixture, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-'5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the brackets and a portion of the reflectors; and

Fig. '7 is an end elevation of a portion of a modified form of reiiector plate.

In the construction of modern busses and railway cars, it is desirable to provide air condition- 'f and indirect lighting devices for the same. It is common practice to mount the lighting and air conditioning fixtures or mountings in different locations on the walls of the vehicle, but such an arrangement is more or less expensive to install and maintain.

In the use of indirect illumination, a large percentage of the eciency of the light is lost, due to the absorption of the light waves by the reflecting surfaces and walls of the car. Unless provision is made for preventing it, the lower surfaces of the reflecting membersare enveloped in shadows which detract from the appearance of the fixtures. And where provision is made ing for avoiding these shadows by illuminating the i lower surfaces of the fixtures, no provision is made for utilizing these light rays beyond the mere illumination of the under surfaces of the reflectors.

The present invention seeks to overcome these 5f diiculties by so constructing and arranging the parts that the rays of light reflected against the under sides of the fixtures will in turn be reilected into the car thereby adding to the eiiciency of the lighting system. Moreover, the

the lighting -Iit T and laterally Afrom its lower surface.

light fixtures themselves are so constructed that they are utilized as distributors for the conditioned air.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character I'Il designates generally a railway car having a turtle back roof or roof sheathing II, Fig. 3, and a ceiling or head lining I2 spaced below the roof or sheathing II. While the improved lighting fixtures herein 'disclosed are adapted to be used in connection with air conditioned trains, it is understood that they may be used in other relations and on vehicles not having an air conditioning system. In the form of construction selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention for illustrative purposes, the fixtures are disclosed as being used in connection with an air conditioning system in which the main air conduit I3 is located along the center line of the Vehicle between the roof sheathing II and the ceiling or head lining l2 vand extends longitudinally of the car. Suitable openings I4 are provided in the ceiling or head lining I2 through which the conditioned air from the conduit I3 is adapted to enter the passenger compartment. The lighting fixtures are arranged directly beneath these openings as shown more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawings. These fixtures comprise a channel member I5, Fig. 5, the sides of which are provided with openings and louvers I6 through which air from the conduit I3 escapes and is directed laterally into the car. The upper edges of the channel member I5 are turned outwardly to form attaching feet Il which are adapted to be attached to the ceiling as will presently appear. The bottom or web of the channel member I5 has suitable openings above which are mounted light sockets I`9 to which the electric lamps or bulbs 2I are attached. The wiring for the lamps is concealed within this channel member. i

A suitable light trough or reflector-member is suspended beneath the bulbs 2l in such a manner that the light will be reflected upwardly and laterally from its upper surface and downwardly In the form of the device illustrated, a trough-like member is employed which comprises a pair of reector plates 22 and 23. These reflector plates are so arranged and supported as to form a lighting trough having a narrow slot 24 in its lower vportion extending longitudinally of the car. Since these reflector plates are alike, only one need be described. y

Each reflector plate is curved in cross-section, Fig. 6, and has its upper surface 25 constructed to form a reflecting surface and having its under surface 26'forrned also as a reflecting surface. The lower surface ofthe plate may be, and preferablyis, provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending reflecting surfaces 21 curved in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6. These curved reflecting surfaces may, if desired, be parabolic for reflecting light falling on the same in parallel lines.

Appropriate brackets 28 are provided for supporting these plates. Each of these brackets comprises a body portion 4U, Fig. 6, having upwardly and outwardly curved reflector supporting arms 29 and 3|, forming roughly a wide V and integral attaching bracket arms 32 and 33, each of which terminates in laterally extending feet 34 that are adapted to be attached to the ceiling by any suitable means such as the bolts or screws 35, Fig. 5. These screws extend through the feet 34 and the feet l'I of the trough I5 for securing the trough and reflector brackets in position beneath the ceiling. The reflector plates 22 and 23 are preferably secured to the arms 29 and 3| vby attaching means that will not obstruct or mar the reflecting surfaces. plates is provided with a return bend 36 at its outer edge andthe arms 29 and 3| of the supporting bracket are reduced to engage in the channel formed by the return bend 36.

The inner edge of each of the reflectors is provided with openings through which suitable screws 3U are inserted for securing the same to lugs 3l on the arms of the supporting bracket. By means of this arrangement, there are no screw or rivet heads exposed to the reflecting surface except those along the inner edge of the reflecting plates and these will be concealed by an auxiliary reflector as will presently be described. The reflector plates extending from one end of the car to the other are preferably, though not necessarily, made in a plurality of parts for convenience of handling and assembly.

In attaching the plates together, one of the brackets 28 is attached to each of the adjacent ends of the reflector plates and the arms 32 and 33 of the adjacent brackets are clamped together by any suitable means such as the bolts 38 which extend through openings 39 in said arms. These brackets are spaced slightly from the adjoining ends of the plates and when the nuts are tightened, the ends of the plates are forced into intimate contact whereby a substantially invisible joint is provided. The openings through the feet 34 for these brackets are elongated longitudinally to the car for the purpose of adjustment. A plurality of additional supporting brackets are provided which are of substantially the same form and shape and are attached in the same manner as the brackets 28, Figs. 1, 2 and 4. These brackets are also provided with slots or enlarged openings in the feet portion for permitting slight adjustment to accommodate slight inaccuracies in attaching the same to the ceiling.

Suitable means are provided for illuminating the under sides of the reflector plates 22 and 23 which would otherwise be dark and unpleasing to the sight. The reflector plates 22 and 23 are spaced apart to form a slot 24 beneath which an auxiliary reflector 43 is suspended. As shown, the body portions of the supporting brackets have, on their lower surfaces, attaching feet 42, Fig. 6, to which the auxiliary reflector 43 is attached as by means of the screws 44 that extend through the feet 42 and engage a rib or projection 45 on the reflector 43. The reflector extends to each side of the rib 45 beneath the slot 24 and is curved upwardly and has its upper surface forming a reflector for reflecting the light passing through the slot and falling upon said reflector against the under reflecting surface 26 of the reflector plates As shown, each of the 22 and 23. The reflector 43 and the opening or slot 24 are of such relative width that none of the rays from the source of light 2| will pass directly into the car through said slot.

In the operation of the device, air passing along the conduit I3 will escape into the trough I5 and from thence will be distributedY throughl the louvers I6 into the passenger compartment. Some of the rays from the source of light 2| will be directed upwardly against the ceiling of the car and be reflected downwardly while others will be reflected from the upper surfaces of the reflectors 22 and 23 against the ceiling and then downwardly while still others will pass downwardly through the opening 24 and will be reflected upwardly'and laterally by the auxiliary reflector 43 against the underside of the reflector plates 22 and 23 and these rays will in turn be reflected laterally and downwardly by the reflecting surfaces 21.

The reflecting surfaces 26 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as being curved surfaces but if desired, they may be plane stepped reflecting surfaces 4l as shown in Fig. '7. These stepped deflecting surfaces will be so arranged as to properly reflect the rays of light laterally and downwardly.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the ylight bulbs may be divided between two systems, one for evening or service lighting and one for night illumination. For night illumination, a series of smaller bulbs or electric lamps 48 are provided. Suitable reflectors 49 are provided for these bulbs for reflecting all of the light downwardly through the opening 24 against the reflector 43. If desired, the bulbs 48 may be colored, or, preferably, the reflecting surface of the reflector 43 may be covered with a thin layer of clear lacquer tinted any suitable color such as blue for providing a blue light for night use. In this way, the aisle and car may be adequately illuminated for passengers walking through the car, reading berth numbers, and the like, with out interfering with the comfort of the passengers even in the upper berths. If the reflector 43 be covered with a tinted lacquer, such as blue, for

instance, the light reflected from the auxiliary reflector 43 from the evening or service lamps will be slightly tinted, which will be desirable if the tint is a bluish color.

The shape and angular mounting of the plates 22 and 23 in combination with the shape and position of the auxiliary reflector 43 enable the entire underside of the plates to be substantially uniformly illuminated so that the outer margin of the plates will not be in shadows. From the standpoint of utility and appearance, this relationship is of considerable importance.

The channel member I5 provides not only a convenient mounting for the lamp sockets, but also serves as a carrier for electrical conduit and a distributor for the conditioned air which is being delivered into the car through the openings I4.

It can readily be seen that the Cost of installation for a fixture of the general type shown in the drawings is materially reduced by reason of the easeand facility with which the entire unit may be screwed into place on ,the ceiling of the car.

It is thought from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that the construction and operation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that minor changes in size, shape. proportion and details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a railway car having a roof, a ceiling beneath and spaced from said roof, an air conduit within said space extending longitudinally or" said car and having discharge openings through said ceiling, a channel member beneath said conduit and openings, said channel member being provided with openings in its side walls for the passage of air from said conduit into said car, a plurality of lamp sockets within said channel member, lamps in said sockets extending below said member, reflector plates extending the length of said car beneath lamps, said plates having reflecting surfaces for reflecting light from said lamps onto said ceiling, said reflectors forming a slot beneath said lamps, and an auxiliary reflector for reflecting light projected from said lamps through said slots.

2. A reflector member for a lighting system for vehicles comprising an elongated plate having one edge turned upwardly and inwardly to form an attaching channel, a plurality of supporting brackets each having an arm extending outwardly and engaging in said channel, said plate having reecting surfaces on both its upper and lower sides, the other edge portion of said plate having openings for receiving attaching screws engaging said arms for rigidly connecting said plates and arms together.

3. In a vehicle having a body, a plurality of light sources suspended in the upper portion of said body, a reflector trough beneath said source and having a slot extending longitudinally thereoi', an auxiliary reflector beneath said slot, and hood means for directing the light from certain of said sources through said slot only onto said auxiliary reflector, the remaining sources directing rays on both of said reflectors.

4. In a lighting system for vehicles, a sectional reflector trough comprising a plurality of reector plates arranged end to end, brackets for supporting said plates, certain of said brackets having attaching surfaces adapted to be secured to a wall being attached to said plates adjacent the ends thereof, and means engaging adjacent brackets at the ends of said plates for forcing the adjacent ends of said plates together to form a tight joint with said brackets in spaced relation.

5. In a lighting system for vehicles, a plurality of lamps, means for supporting the same within said vehicle, a lighting trough below said lamps, reflecting surfaces on said trough for reflecting the light rays from said lamps laterally and upwardly, said trough having a slot beneath said lamps, an auxiliary reflector suspended beneath said slot for reflecting light rays passing through said slot from said lamps upwardly and laterally onto the under surface of said trough, certain of said lamps being adapted to be energized by a separate circuit from the remaining lamps and shields on said last-named lamps for directing al1 rays of the corresponding lamps through said slot onto said auxiliary reflector for night use.

6. A lighting trough for a railway car comprising a plurality of brackets each having a body portion and upwardly and laterally extending arms, reector plates secured to the arms, each plate being curved in cross-section and having a smooth upper reflecting surface and a plurality of reflecting surfaces on its under side, said plates being spaced apart to form a slot, an auxiliary reflector suspended from said body portions beneath said slot for reflecting light rays passing through said slot onto the reflecting surfaces beneath said plates, and means for forcing certain of said brackets toward each other for forcing the ends of corresponding reflector plates against each other to form a close joint.

7. In a vehicle having a body, a light source suspended in the upper portion of said body, a reflector trough beneath said light source and having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, an auxiliary reflector beneath said slot, and hood means for directing the light rays from certain portions of the light source through said slot only onto said auxiliary reflector, other portions of the rays from the light source being directed onto both of said reflectors.

8. In a lighting system for passenger vehicles having a ceiling, a source of white light, a lighting trough extending longitudinally along the central portion of the ceiling, said lighting trough comprising a main reflector arranged so that rays of white light from said source are directed upwardly and laterally, a second source of light, a reflector associated With the second source of light for reflecting light from the latter source downwardly, and a third reflector beneath said sources of light for reflecting said white light and color-tinted light from said sources laterally beneath the first reflector, said trough and second reflector.

9. A bracket for an electric lighting system for Vehicles, comprising a body portion, arms extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from said body portion, the outer ends of said arms each being flattened for engaging in a return bend of a reflector plate, each arm having an aperture adjacent to said body portion extending transversely of said arm for receiving a holding member for supporting the inner edge of said reflector and for holding the return bend 0f the latter onto the flattened outer end of the arm for supporting the outer edge of the reflector, said arms being spaced apart and having attaching brackets extending upwardly therefrom, and said body portion having a laterally extending apertured foot for attaching an auxiliary reflector thereto.

10. A bracket for connecting two adjacent ends of a light trough section together, comprising a body portion, reflector supporting arms extending upwardly and outwardly from said body portion and terminating in flattened outer ends for engaging in return bends yon the outer edges of reflector plates for supporting said outer edges, said arms having their inner ends provided with threaded openings for receiving means for supporting the inner edges of said reflector plates, apertured feet on said body portion for attachment thereto of an auxiliary reflector, and bracket arms rigid with, and extending upwardly from, said reflector supporting arms and having apertured attaching feet on the upper ends thereof, said bracket arms being spaced apart and having openings therethrough for receiving bolts for forcing two adjacent brackets toward each other when the same are attached adjacent to the ends of contiguous light trough sections.

LEMUEL L. STEWART. 

